Dillon

Updated: October 14, 2023 by Stephanie Graham

Some say Dillon is an alternative version of Dylan. Others say it's an entirely different name with its own unique meaning and origin. Either way, it's been one of the top baby names for boys in the United States for over 40 years. It's both a given name and a surname, and it pairs well with a variety of middle names.

Meaning and Origin of the name Dillon:

Dillon is a boy's name that is of Irish and Welsh origin that means “loyal,” “sea,” or “son of the sea.”

The exact origins of Dillon are unknown. Many believe it's simply another way to spell the Welsh name Dylan, which means “sea” or “son of the sea.” Others believe it's an entirely different Irish name that just happens to sound similar, and it means “loyal.”

Symbolism of the name Dillon:

In Welsh mythology, Dillon — spelled Dylan — was the son of Arianrhod, a sea divinity. When Dylan was baptized in the sea, he took to the water like a fish, earning him the nicknames “son of the sea” and “son of the wave.” For this reason, the name is often associated with the ocean.

Nicknames for the name Dillon:

Dillion is one of those names that doesn't have many nicknames. The most common nickname is Dill. If you want a fun nickname, you can always use Dill Pickle. For traditional nicknames, check out the list below. It's unfortunately a short list.

Dill
Dilly

Style of the name Dillon:

Traditional

Gender of the name Dillon:

Dillon is a boy's name.

Pronunciation of the name Dillon:

DILL-en

Number of syllables in the name Dillon:

Two

Emotion evoked from the name Dillon:

The name Dillon evokes images of someone who is happy and has many friends.

Alternative spellings for the name Dillon:

Popularity of the name Dillon:

Dillon has been a top 1,000 baby name in the United States since 1979, even reaching the top 100 during the early 1990s. As of 2020, it ranks at number 667, according to the Social Security Administration.